The Alta California Orchestra: (TACO) Photos of the Orchestra, research, presentation of early California music and dance, info, contact and current performances.
TACO is Proud to be part of CAC Sponsored American Masterpieces California, "Musica Festiva De Las Misiones".

Community Fandango: You Tube 5 minute video of a residency and public performances, with
The Alta California Orchestra. Lee Birch featured in performance at SF Museum.

Check out: "California Folk Dance Traditions Instruction Booklet and CD" with The Alta California Orchestra and Deborah Fischbach,
Arts educator teaching 9 simple dances and a song with words and chords for the waltz. Also "how to use this book" includes lesson
plans and more!Purchasing with online discount and PayPal secure cart.

World Music Program,
Cultural Arts and Music K-12: Poster with photos, summary, info and contact.
Program focuses on the music and musical history of world
cultures, with students drawing the displayed instruments as they listen. Musical history
from Ancient Persia through Afghanistan and India, the Moorish civilization to Renaissance Europe
and today. Playing Antique and unique instruments from their own collection, this husband and wife team
plant the seeds of culture into the imaginations of the students, giving them much food for thought.

Ernest L Fischbach, Elfsoundworks.net: Mandolin Maker, Instrument Repairman, Music History and Performances with Zincali, Bal~Anat and others. Ernie Fischbach, founding member of ITS and eclectic musician with a flair.

ITS Traditional Arts Education : Looking for local partners to receive matching funds. Poster with
project summary, info and contact. Partnership K-12, and or community arts education groups, research,
presentation of and classes in traditional music and dance program.

Preston Historical Research and Restoration Fund:
The Preston Historical Research and Restoration Fund has been created to preserve the
memory of the town of Preston (1875-1941) and its people, with articles and photos of Madame Preston and her clients/residents/community. The "Free Pilgrims" church, the jewel of Preston is owned by a private party who has halted the process of restoration (2015) for this fine 19th century building. We have mostly stablized it before the halt, but it needs more attention.
Located near Cloverdale in Northern California. Tax deductible donations are easy with PayPal credit card accept.
Director; Lisa Ellis

Zincali Middle Eastern Orchestra Available for
performances and parties; established and respected full piece orchestra.
Performance photos, band members, info and contact.

Chris Carnes Memorial: Photos of Chris, one with
Carmen Amaya and one a painting by the late Olaf Palm, also a letter and poem, remembering Chris
Carnes.
A DVD of Chris playing live in the can waiting for editing funds.

Robert "Bob" Thomas Memorial: Stories, drawing, photo and
a letter from a fellow bagpiper. RDT born July 21, 1938, died December 16, 1993. Band leader of "The
Golden Toad", "Raggle Taggle Gypsies", "Pipe+Bowl Morris", The French Cheese band, "Le Camembert" and some I can't
remember.
A DVD of Robert playing live in the can waiting for editing funds.
Send your memories of Robert to me for posting.

Life and Times of San Francisco Dancer, John Patterson. Photos of John with the Golden Toad. Dancers and artists, close friends; David Barnard and
John Patterson are very loved for their contribution to the Institute's programs. This is a page to honor them and their art. Contributors contact Deborah

You'll see a list of projects on your left + below
Click on underlined Red titles for info and photos link.

ABOUT ITS

The Institute for Traditional Studies researches, performs and promotes traditional arts education.
Our logo (above) was originally designed by Robert Donovan (Bob) Thomas,
who was a founding member of the Institute.
Though the original drawing was lost; an embossing stamp remained. Melissa Fischbach, who knew
Robert since her birth has copied the stamp design as close as possible.
Bob Thomas is most recognized for his famous logo
(Skull with lightning bolt) that he and Ernie Fischbach designed for the Grateful Dead, (rock band).

Make a tax deductible Donation so we can help fund and produce current and future projects. Mark your donation with a list of your favorite projects or pick just one!

MORE PROJECTS BELOW

Hands on Healing, Reiki
: The Institute Program Director's personal page, please look if
you are interested in Natural Healing, Reiki, Power of Positive Thinking and cultivation of your True Self. Check it out!

ITS is the proud sponsor of the Villa de Branciforte Preservation Society and their good works; Seeking recognition and preservation of the unique character and history of the Villa
de Branciforte area.
Founded in 1797, Villa de Branciforte is a unique occurrence in Spanish Colonial history.
Unlike the Spanish missions, the Villa was secular, and unlike the other two original secular settlements,
the pueblos of Los Angeles and San Jose, Branciforte was a "villa," the only villa to be created during the
Spanish Colonial era in California. The Society in partnership with CalTrans and the State of California has set up
Villa de Branciforte Historical Landmark signs on the freeway. They are working on funding to set up more signs locally,
make a brochure and map of the specific sites in the area and secure a privately owned lot full of artifacts that is for sale. Check out 2014 article, "Discoveries: Santa Cruz's 'East Side' lobbies for respect. "
Check out the History; unique people, places, politics and culture. Call Deborah at ITS for donations, bequeaths.
Director; Ed Silviera

Bal~Anat Band performances:
Ernie Fischbach, Brian Steeger, David Brown, Melissa Fischbach and guest musicians play for
Suhaila Salimpour's Troupe of Dancers! Performance Photos and links to Suhaila, Jamila and Bal~Anat. Ernie created the music for Jamila's original Bal~Anat Dance Troupe.

Robert Donovan Thomas; Visions of a Renaissance
Man, a video memory. (See photo under ITS Street Musicians, Postcard Series)

Gitanos Caballeros (video documentary) The Gypsy Life, a story of Chris Carnes' adventures in Andalusia.
Chris was a student, teacher and historian of Andalusian Gypsy Flamenco guitar, specializing in the accompaniment of singers
and dancers.